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How to apply through CAO for 2026 in South Africa

In March 2025, the Central Application Office (CAO) will open its application window for the 2026 academic year on behalf of all public and private schools and institutions. A new application season for the January 2026 intake will begin on multiple application platforms, including the Central Application Office (CAO). If you are planning to apply in South Africa, CAO is one option for gaining admission to your preferred college or university.

Central Application Office Application Timelines For 2026

The following dates must be adhered to by prospective applicants applying to any of the KwaZulu universities through the Central Application Office (CAO).

March 1, 2025: 2026 Applications are open
October 31, 2025: The main 2026 application window closes
November 1, 2025: CAO 2026 Late applications are open for a fee.

Admission Requirements:

You need to possess at least the qualifications below:

Grade 12 candidates: You must have a South African National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a degree endorsement or equivalent qualification.
International applicants: Check individual university requirements for additional documentation.

How to Apply through the Central Application Office

The steps involved in applying to the Central Application Office (CAO) are as follows:

a) Prepare the following documents:

Copy of ID AND
Final Grade 11 Report (if you are in Grade 12) OR
Highest qualification achieved
Copy of study or residence permit (if you are a non-South-African applicant)
June Grade 12 Report (as soon as you receive it if you are currently in Grade 12)
September/Trials Grade 12 Report (as soon as you receive it if you are currently in Grade 12)
Any other document requested by the institution, eg. academic Record
Research universities and programs: Explore options like “Study Options for Me” on the CAO website
Apply to 3–5 institutions. Rank them in order of preference.

b) Apply online:

Visit the CAO website: https://www.cao.ac.za/.
Create an account or log in.
Complete the application form. Enter your details and program choices, and upload documents.
Click the button when you get to ‘Process My Application.’
Your submission will be marked as successful by a message on your screen.
Pay the application fee. Secure your spot!

c) Track Your Application Status 2025:

Track your application: Monitor its status through the CAO website.
Respond promptly to university requests. Don’t miss deadlines!
Celebrate your acceptance!

Central Application Office Contact Information

At certain points during the application process, phone lines will be extremely busy, and we advise all applicants to send their queries through the online contact form.